Masato Tanaka and New Japan.

[RogerDeaton]

Lol- leave it to me for this topic and the first in this section of the message board. But why has Tanaka never got a shot in New Japan. Is it simply because Inoki probably considers him "FMW garbage" and not worthy. I am not talking about being a main eventer, just a shot.

[OldSchool]

I'm not sure why he never got the opportunity with New Japan. But i agree, he would certainly be a very welcome addition to the New Japan roster. I think he would be a very solid mid to upper mid carder.

I also think All Japan seriously dropped the ball with Tanaka, as they had him and let him go to Zero One. He really could have been a player had he been booked correctly there, but if hehad stayed he would no doubt be putting over Mutoh or Jamal.

His tag team in Z1 with Ohtani was great, but there just wasnt enough quality competition there for them to have the great matches that they were capable of. Had this team been in New Japan, i think they could now be thought higher of than Tenkoji was. I loved Tenkoji, but i beleive Ohtani Tanaka could have been better.

[TOM]

Ohtani and Tanaka were the only consistent tag team I enjoyed in years. Both of those guys deserve better than they get.

[Steviec2k4]

I for one am glad Tanaka never entered New Japan, because he would never amount to much of anything in the land of the 6'0" shooters. Tanaka doesn't work the same style as the New Japan wrestlers, and would have most likely ended up as fodder.

I agree that AJPW was stupid not to sign Tanaka, but I'm sure if they had the money, they would have. ZERO-ONE more than likely offered Tanaka a better contract. Besides, Tanaka's doing okay for himself between ZERO-ONE and his HUSTLE gigs.

[RogerDeaton]

We are talking the same New Japan that has a guys like Tenzan, Sasaki, and the jacked-up young guys. I wouldn't consider them technical wrestling machines. Not sure why Tanaka wouldn't fit in.